During our short trip to Khujand, we stopped at Mosque and Madrasah of Shaikh Muslihiddin. Frankly, there were few remarkable things to see in the town but Payshanba Bazaar. But the mosque’s interior design is quite beautiful and unique. I’d like to share it here.
The beautiful interior design with a slight taste of the East
According to the guide, the origins of this complex can be traced back to the 12th century. It was the tomb of Muslihiddin Khudjandi, who was the ruler of this area as well as a famous poet. Reflecting several rounds of destruction and subsequent renovation, each of the buildings in the compound has a slightly different style. We were unlucky to not see the main mosque due to on-going renovation work (September 2018). However, we were fascinated by the interior design of one of the buildings.
Compared to mosques in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, the structure uses more woods carved in complex patterns, the color choices are wide, and the geometric patterns are unique. I’m not sure if it’s actually the case, but it feels as if there is an influence from the East, such as Tibetan or Himalayan. It’s certainly true that Tajikistan is geographically closer to these regions than Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
While the ceilings are colorful, the mihrab part is simple and mono-toned.
During prayer time, the ground in and around the mosque is filled with prayers
This mosque is situated in front of the biggest market in the town, Payshanba Bazaar, which makes it easy for people to stop by for praying or to catch up with friends there. It happened to be a Friday when we visited Khujand, which is a day when more people visit a mosque for prayers. The sight of people praying in the area both inside and all around the mosque told us that the Tajik people are very religious.
After you visit the mosque, don’t forget to also visit Payshanba Bazaar, and take some time to stroll around. Getting blended with the crowd had us feel the atmosphere of the town and people.
Access: In the city central, a 10-15 minute drive from the Historical Museum of Sughd.
How long to spend there: 30 minutes
Keyword: Mosque